Ukraine has set its sights on the biggest stage in world football – but from a long way out.
Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyy has revealed that Ukraine and Poland are exploring the idea of a joint bid to host a World Cup sometime in the 2040s, framing it as part of the country’s long-term recovery and sporting ambitions.
Speaking to Politico, Bidnyy underlined how early the conversations are.
“The next available date for the World Cup is sometime in the 2040s. We need to start planning for that now,” he said, outlining a vision that stretches well beyond the current decade.
For Ukraine, the concept is about more than just football. Bidnyy stressed that major international tournaments must be factored into the blueprint for national reconstruction, even as the country continues to live through war.
“We will work on this… We continue to be a country focused on the greatest sporting achievements. This is part of our national culture, and we want to develop it despite all these difficulties,” he noted.
The ambition is clear: keep Ukraine anchored in the global sporting conversation, even while the present is dominated by conflict and survival.
But the brakes went on almost as soon as the idea hit the headlines.
After the interview was published, the Ministry of Youth and Sports moved quickly to clarify the situation. There are no official negotiations, no formal consultations, and no active joint bid with Poland for a World Cup at this stage.
The ministry stressed that any concrete proposal must come from within the game itself – from the football community or the relevant federation – rather than being driven purely at government level.
More importantly, officials were adamant about the country’s priorities. Victory in the war and the safety of Ukrainian citizens remain the overriding goals. A World Cup is framed not as a project for today, but as a distant, aspirational marker on the horizon.
For now, the global tournament’s near future is already mapped out. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will share hosting duties for the 2030 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia has been awarded the 2034 edition.
That leaves the 2040s as the next open window – a decade in which Ukraine hopes to have rebuilt, stabilised, and be ready to welcome the football world. The question is not just whether FIFA will look their way, but what kind of country Ukraine will be by the time that opportunity finally comes around.
